Fan Debate Time: Bring Back Sammy?

You guys know my stance on Hudler, so I say do it.

I dislike Sammy less than Hudler. Or well, I hate Hudler, while Sammy, well he rather frustrated me more than anything else. So I’d take him over Hudler. I would. BUT there are, as people have pointed out a few problems. Let me point out the plusses and minuses for this as I see them:

+ Sammy is a harder worker
+ Sammy is more popular with the players and fits better with them
- Sammy would get third line minutes, which he would not be happy with
+ Sammy is cheaper
- Hudler has a higher ceiling as to what level he can reach
- Sammy misses the net a lot
+ Sammy is streaky, but better than what Hudler is right now
+ I just doubt Hudler’s will, determination and work ethic.
- A Hudler on form fits that third line better than Sammy does.

I’d go for Sammy. I would not have a problem with that trade. That said, I think the Canucks management liked what they saw of him last year and still consider him valuable and I doubt they’d fire on a deal like that. And I’m not sure Detroit would either. So the discussion is moot.

Perfect scenario: Trade Hudler for Mike Knuble. But Knuble’s cap hit is too high, which would be a problem and the Caps really don’t need a guy like Hudler, so that is just a pipe dream.

Even with my “defending him” stance, I’m undecided here. I think Sammy is a better player than Hudler right now and he’s a bit cheaper, which would save us some cap dollars that could possibly come in handy. Add in the fact that he’s a righty with a dangerous and heavy wrister and it’s even tougher.

Still, they’re both incredibly streaky and I think Hudler has more potential, even THIS season. I don’t know if the GMs would even make this deal (I lean towards no). I can’t say I’d be pissed if Holland pulled the trigger, but I might be a bit confused. I don’t think I’d be unhappy though.

Excuse me while I go throw up.

I say that we get Samuelsson in exchange for crafty veteran Doug Janik. Who WOULDN’T make that trade? Oh, every GM but Glenn Sather.

But on the real debate side, I think there are good arguments for both players but I lean slightly towards Hudler with the age benefit. Not that I think he’s a Red Wing for life but if he turns it back around he’s a Red Wing for the next 2-3 years at the least. We all saw before the KHL fiasco that Hudler’s got some good potential, it’s just getting him back on track right now that’s the issue.

I do like Sammy’s right-handed shot….Why can’t we have both?

Ugh, it’s hard to say this season because they’ve both been terrible. So I’ll play it off that perspective. If they’re both off their game, I’d take Samuelsson. If they’re both on their game, I’d take Hudler. It’s like we had with Leino. He was so bad that he had to go.. and then he pooped in our coffee with his playoff performance. It doesn’t seem like there is a win/win situation.

Make the deal. Neither Hudler nor Samuelsson is a reliable performer, but for fourth line minutes and the occasional special teams shift, Sammy is a half-grade improvement simply for being a right handed shot- a rarity on the Wings, who have just Eaves and Raffi shooting from that side now.
If nothing else, he gives the shootout a potential different look.

Hey, while we’re at it, let’s trade Salei for Lilja.

My lasting image of Samuelson as a Wing will be him taking the lazy-looking swipe at the puck while the Penguin scoring the game winning goal (Tyler Kennedy?) in Game 7 of the 2009 SCF.

I’ll stick with Hudler, thanks.

  He can keep on keepin on for all i care. He is one of those guys that, yes, will score goals but will be on the ice for 2 against him also. Defensively he’s a liability. I was glad to see him go…Hudler can go too. I’d rather spend the $2 million on a solid defensman to lessen the sting of Lidstrom’s retirement. Or a Power Foward type (Langenbruner, Umbarger) type player who plays a gritty style.